“I shall go!” cried Cicely.
“Because you think he cannot get on without you?”
“I know he cannot.”
“Read the letter, then.”
“No, take the letter away from her,” said Eve. She spoke to Paul, and her tone was a command. He looked at her; with a sudden change of feeling he tried to obey her. But it was too late, Cicely had thrust the letter into the bodice of her dress; then she rose, her sleeping child in her arms. “Grandpa, will you come with me? Will you carry Jack?”
“I will take him,” said Paul.
“No, only grandpa, please; not even you, Eve; just grandpa and I. You may come later; in fifteen minutes.” She spoke with a dignity which she had never shown before, and they went away together, the old man carrying the sleeping child.
“What was in that letter?” Eve demanded accusingly, as soon as they were left alone.
“Well, another woman.”
“Cruel!”